Press Release from the Birmingham Ramallah Twinning Initiative (BRTI), Midlands Palestinian Community Association (MPCA) and the West Midlands Palestine Solidarity Campaign (WMPSC)
‘Gaza and Ramallah not 50 miles but worlds apart’
First hand accounts from Clare Short MP and visitors from Ramallah
The BRTI, MPCA and WMPSC are holding a public meeting in the Birmingham Council House, Victoria Square this evening from 7 pm to highlight the plight of the Palestinian people and in particular the impact of the immoral siege imposed on Gaza by Israel. The speakers include two visitors from Ramallah who are in Birmingham to further develop the links established over the past few years between Ramallah and Birmingham and the Right Honourable Clare Short MP. Clare recently visited Gaza with a group of British and European Parliamentarians to see the impact of the siege on Gazans and had to travel on a small fishing boat from Cyprus as both Israel and Egypt have denied entry to Gaza to various delegations thus preventing the real horror of the impact of the siege from being witnessed by the International Community.
Kamel Hawwash, Chair of the MPCA and BRTI said “The situation in Palestine brings shame on the International Community which has failed to act to stop Israeli crimes against the peaceful Palestinian people. One and a half million Palestinians in Gaza have been deprived of their basic human rights by their illegal occupier, Israel. The Israeli siege has cut Gaza off from the outside World and has destroyed the economy. Most Gazans are now dependent on aid, but essential supplies to humanitarian organisations have now run out as Israel only allows a handful of trucks into Gaza and literally switches the electricity supply on and off at it’s choosing by withholding fuel supplies.” Kamel added that “ tonight’s meeting is important because it provides the people of Birmingham with an opportunity to hear first had accounts of the situation in the West bank and Gaza and to consider ways in which ordinary people can act to help end the conflict which has gone on for over 60 years.”
For further information and comment contact:
Kamel Hawwash
Chair
Birmingham Ramallah Twinning Imitative (BRTI)
Midlands Palestinian Community Association (MPCA)
PO Box 11986Birmingham
B31 2ZL
Tel: 07765892702
Press release on the occasion of the visit of the Mayor of Ramallah, Palestine to Birmingham on the 6th and 7th of March 2007 The Birmingham Ramallah Twinning Initiative (BRTI) is very pleased to announce that her Excellency Mrs Janet Michael, Mayor of Ramallah, Palestine will be visiting Birmingham on the 6th and 7th of March. The purpose of her visit is to further develop the links that have been established between individuals and organisations in Birmingham and Ramallah and to provide the people of Birmingham with a first hand account of the situation in the Occupied Palestinain Territories.
Her visit to the United Kingdom also coincides with International Women’s day on the 8th of March. Mrs Michael will then visit Oxford which has established a friendship arrangement with Ramallah and will culminate in an International day event in London organised by the Britain Palestine Twinning Network. The initiative to develop links between the two cities leading to twinning was established in 2004 following a visit by a group of British trade unionists from Birmingham to Palestine/Israel. Since then a number of visits by Palestinians to Birmingham and Britons to Ramallah have taken place.
Commenting on Mrs Michael’s visit Kamel Hawwash, Chair of BRTI said “We are delighted that Mrs Michael has accepted our invitation and for the opportunity her visit will provide for us in Birmingham to express solidarity with the Palestinian people and to focus on developing concrete links between the citizens of the two cities. Her visit will bring hope to the Palestinian people and will also bring Birmingham to the attention of people in the Middle East at a time when relations between people in the Middle East and the West have been strained as a result of recent events”. Her visit will include meetings with the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, the Mayor of Walsall and representatives of trade unions and faith communities in Birmingham. She will address sixth formers at Kings Norton Boys School and will meet members of Responding to Conflict (RTC), which is involved in a project that brings Palestinians and Israelis together in Birmingham and in Palestine/Israel.
Ends
For further information and to interview Mrs Michael contact:
Iqbal Tamimi, Press Officer for BRTI Tel: 07805056810
Kamel Hawwash, Chair BRTI
Tel: 07765892702 Caroline Johnson, Secretary BRTI, Tel: 07855645199
3 March 2007